Excessive optimism at Ferrari could prove detrimental to the team at the start of the 2007 Formula 1 season, Ferrari and Fiat Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo warned on Wednesday.
Speaking to the press at the international automobile show here, Montezemolo said "there is a lot of optimism at Ferrari which I don't like".
"This week I spent a full day at Maranello and with (Ferrari CEO Jean) Todt and the boys and we all agreed it was best to keep our feet firmly on the ground".
"We will only know the car's full worth in Australia. For now what we have is the drive to win and that's what we will be aiming to do," he added.
Ferrari has been very strong in pre-season tests and even Giancarlo Fisichella, driver for world champion Renault, said this week that Ferrari was the car to beat.
The Formula 1 season opens in Mebourne on March 18 with the Australian Grand Prix.
Looking ahead to the new season, Montezemolo observed "it's going to be really interesting with the new regulations and the fact that everyone will have the same tires, which should level the field somewhat".
"I have always been in favor of a single tire supplier because the evolution of the cars and rule changes enhanced the role of the tires to the point that the whole championship risked being about tires," he added.
According to the Fiat chairman, Formula 1 has developed into a global challenge "with all leading automakers, with the exception of Volkswagen and General Motors, pumping in major investments and resources".
"As chairman of Fiat I can confirm that we don't spend a euro on Formula 1. The Ferrari team is totally self-financed," he added.
This year will be a very important one, Montezemolo observed, "because it will be the first without Michael Schumacher who in 11 seasons became the Ferrari driver to win the most and race the greatest number of years with us, sharing both difficult and extraordinary times with great team spirit".
"I am very glad that a man of his abilities and love of Ferrari will continue to make his contribution as an advisor".
Schumacher retired at the end of the 2006 season after winning five straight titles with Ferrari and allowing it to clinch six constructors' championships in a row.
Looking at the 'new' Ferrari team, which was radically overhauled after Schumacher's departure, Montezemolo said "it's new but the people in it grew up within the company and that's what I like about it".
"We have two young drivers who I am sure represent Ferrari's future. We will begin to know for sure in Australia," he added.
Brazil's Felipe Massa is starting his second year as an official Ferrari driver, in the past he was a test driver, and Finland's Kimi Raikkonen joined Ferrari this year from McLaren to take Schumacher's place on the team.
"I was glad to see Massa's progress race after race last year and we knew about Raikkonen's talent and ability when we signed him," Montezemolo said.
